You may have read some technology news about Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). Unlike many other Windows updates, this one will cause some noticeable changes to your Windows applications. In our guide we will inform you of the most visible changes so you can adapt quickly.
What is SP2?
Microsoft frequently releases patches and updates for Windows and its many applications. Windows includes a feature to download these automatically, although you can check manually by going to Windows Update with Internet Explorer. SP2 is a major update for Windows XP focusing extensively on improving security, and includes updates to Internet Explorer and Outlook.
Should I install it?
The majority of Windows users should wait for SP2 to be installed via Windows Update. Microsoft does offer the complete file as a 260MB download, but Windows Update will determine which files you need for your computer, and only download those. You may only need 50MB of it, so why spend time downloading the whole 260MB? Of course, if you have a fast connection and are curious about the new features, you might want to give it a try. If so, mark out some time, as the install procedure can take a while.
What does it change?
SP2 focuses on improving the security of Windows XP. A lot of changes are under the hood--things that you won't notice, such as memory and network protection. But others will be visible in Internet Explorer and Outlook. For a very technical article on everything new, read "Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2".
- Internet Explorer
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New tools in Internet Explorer include a pop-up blocker and add-on manager.
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The two biggest changes to Internet Explorer (IE) are the Pop-Up Blocker and the Manage Add-Ons screen, both accessible from the tools menu. In our testing, we found that the Pop-Up Blocker, at its default medium setting, worked pretty well, catching all common types of pop-ups. It places an information bar at the top of the window when it blocks a pop-up, which lets you decide whether to let it through or not. The Manage Add-Ons screen displays all the browser helper objects attached to IE, and lets you disable them. We would have also liked the option to remove them completely.
When you try to download a program on Download.com, you may need to click the information bar at the top of IE to okay the download.
- Outlook
The Windows e-mail client gets a few updates that should help protect from dangerous e-mails. With SP2, Outlook gets a plain-text mode that will cause HTML e-mail to be rendered as rich text, eliminating the possibility of malicious Javascript or other scripts. Also, e-mail attachments will not be allowed to interact with the system when they are received, preventing the automatic execution of worms and viruses.
- Security Center
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The Security Center offers links to up-to-date security information.
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SP2 adds a Security Center to Windows, accessible by clicking the Start menu, then choosing Accessories and System Tools. The Security Center can also be accessed as a Control Panel. The Security Center is just a screen that gives you access to the firewall, Internet options, and the automatic update feature. It also includes links to security information resources.
- Firewall
Windows' built-in firewall hasn't been improved, although SP2 turns it on if it isn't already activated. If you start experiencing networking problems after installing SP2, you might want to try temporarily turning the firewall off. On a related note, SP2 automatically closes Windows network ports unless they are in use.
If you have the Download.com Secure Delivery client installed, Windows Firewall may display a special alert when you try to download programs. Choosing the "Unblock this program" option in the alert will let you continue using the Secure Delivery client without any further interruption.
- Wireless Configuration Wizard
This new wizard can be found after clicking the Start menu, choosing Accessories, then Communications. It helps you set up a secure wireless network if you have the appropriate hardware.
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